The Colorado Avalanche Signed Defenseman Andre Benoit

On day one of free agency, in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Andre Benoit to a one-year deal on Friday. The 29-year-old who finally earned a spot in the NHL last season withOttawahad 10 points in limited playing time on the blueline.

With the Avalanche's currently sparse defensive depth chart, Benoit has a legitimate shot to earn regular playing time and his one-year, $900,000 deal does indicate that the Avalanche at least expect Benoit to be an every day player in the NHL next season.

Newly hired Avalanche Coach Patrick Roy said the team wasn't going to be very active in the free agent market since the roster was already full. Avalanche executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic says Benoit has "good offensive skills and puck-moving ability and will be a good addition to our power play."